17-11-2011

Two of Australia’s most prominent and successful rock musicians, Daniel Johns and Chris Cheney, have exclusively joined forces to raise funds and awareness for WSPA’s ‘Collars not Cruelty’ a campaign to help improve the lives of tens of thousands of street dogs around the globe. Both musicians are taking part in a competition to win a rockin’ Epiphone Les Paul Studio guitar signed by both and kindly donated by The Gibson Foundation.

Chris said, “Typically the only times where Daniel and I reconnect is for something purely for our own benefit, like at a gig or a festival. This is a cause, a mission, a message and something of importance.”

Daniel added, “This is something we could do on a selfless level, as soon as Chris and I heard about WSPA’s campaign and the 20 million dogs brutally slaughtered every year, we knew we had to ‘man up’ and do something about it.”

To enter the competition visit dollarsforcollars.org.au and buy a virtual collar for just $10 and tell us in 25 words or less why dogs mean the world to you. Two exclusive videos will then be unlocked featuring Daniel and Chris, one a more serious insight into the inhumane culling of dogs around the world, the other a candid and fun quiz where Daniel and Chris answer a series of dog-related questions with comical results.

All entries will be judged by Daniel and Chris and the most creative answer will win this fantastic piece of rock history. Each entry and virtual collar bought will donate vital funds to help convince the world to stop killing dogs in response to rabies and will help work with governments to stop the cruelty and instead run effective dog vaccination programmes.

Daniel will also personally sign a copy of Andrew Zuckermann’s acclaimed coffee table book ‘Music’ in which he is featured, as a special runner-up prize. Chris is generously providing a The Living End merchandise pack that includes a signed copy of Guitar Australia Magazine with him on the cover, a signed copy of ‘The Ending is Just the Beginning Repeating’ album, a signed The Living End t-shirt as well as a The Living End iPhone 4 cover, stickers and badges.

WSPA spokesperson Joanna Tuckwell said, “Every year up to 20 million dogs are inhumanely culled across the world - that’s the equivalent of 38 dogs every minute. These dogs are often poisoned, beaten or gassed to death as part of this culling process. Such cruelty is clearly unacceptable and we are proud and excited to have Daniel and Chris join WSPA as ambassadors for the ‘Collars not Cruelty’ campaign.”

Chris concludes, “The vital funds raised at dollarsforcollars.org.au will ensure that WSPA can campaign to let people know that vaccination and not culling, is the solution to the rabies problem. Upon vaccination these dogs are given red collars and communities then know that these dogs are safe from the disease, this is a noble and practical solution and you can help make it a success.”

To buy a virtual collar, unlock exclusive video content and a chance to win the signed guitar, visit dollarsforcollars.org.au.